Envelope case



sePt- 8, 1936- J. H. PLoTKlN ENVELOPE CASE i Filed April 20, 1956 Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNETED STATES PATENT YOFFICE ENVELOPE CASE poration of Illinois Application April 20,

5 Claims.

This invention relates to an envelope case having two hinged covers together with a hook fastener connection therebetween. More particularly, it relates to the handles for the case, one applied to each cover upon its free edge, and to the mounting for each handle by which it may be slid toward or from the cover to position its grip portion either flush with the proximate edge of the cover or remote therefrom for convenient use. The present improvements are advantageous as tosimplicity and strength of construction, as well as convenience and accessibility of the handles for use or disuse. These and other objects of my invention may be realized from a structure of which an exemplification is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in the manner following:

Figure l is a perspective view of the envelope case showing the two handles in their opposite positions;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail, partly in section, showing one handle slid into iiush position within its mounting;

Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged details in section, taken on lines 3 and 4, respectively, of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view in section on line 5--5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of the handle frame, per se.

The envelope case, shown in Fig. 1, is of that type which comprises two like cover sections C-C hinged at lll along their bottom edges and each fitted interiorly, if desired, with expansible pockets H or other partitions. To the free edge of each cover section is applied a disappearing handle H a detailed description of which will follow.

As indicated in Fig. 3, each cover section may comprise two plies, viz., an outer facing I5 of leather or other suitable material together with a lining l5 which is preferably rigid or stiff so as to reinforce the cover. Along their top edges the facing and lining are united, as by stitching, to a gusset l1 to which is fastened a tape I8 which carries a row of hook fasteners IS. As by a slide 2U the two rows of hook fasteners (one applied to each cover section) are interengaged so as to lock the case in closed position.

At a central point in the free edge of each cover a rectangular recess is provided in the facing and lining to receive a frame F which desirably comprises a pair of connected longitudinal bars 25 having flanges 26 extending toward each other along their upper edges. At each end the bars are bowed out at 21 t0 provide between them spaced oval openings 28 beyond which I may,

1936, serial No. 75,399

if desired, extend the bars upwardly at 29 for a short distance. As shown, the two bars are integrally united by webs 3D extending between the tops of the two extensions 29, and I may also,

if desired, provide a pair of lugs iii, one down- 5 turned from each web to Overlie the proximate edges of the extensions for a purpose which will presently appear. A frame of this description may be seated within the edge recess of the case cover with the flanges 2t resting along the inset l0 edge of the recess and the bars lapping over the opposite faces of the cover; the end extensions,

if used, will fit similarly with respect to the proximate edges of the recess, and the webs will seat upon the cover edge at points adjacent the re- .l5 cess. The two lugs extending down from the webs are adapted to protect one from the bar edges which are relatively thin and sharp. The entire frame, it will be noted, is sunken or flush with respect to the cover edge, and may be secured thereto by rivets 32 or other appropriate fastenings which pass through registering openings 33 in the bars and through the cover edges which are fitted therebetween (see Fig. 3).

In association with a frame of this character, I employ a handle H comprising a rectangular metallic core 35 of wire or other form. Ihe core which may be interrupted along its lower bar is encased, by preference, in a covering 35 of leather or other suitable material soshaped and put together as to be relatively thin except along the top or grip bar where at least one extra ply is provided for comfort. By utilizing two leather pieces, one on each side of the core, and each connected to the other by stitching or otherwise at places inside and outside of the core, the handle acquires a generally oval cro-ss-sectional form. The end bars of the handle are spaced apart properly to fit within the end openings 28 of the frame which are of about corresponding shape and size. Each leather piece forming the handle covering is desirably dependent below the lower bar of the core to provide a tongue of substantial size.

The handle and frame are interitted so that the former may slide vertically within the latter between the extreme positions indicated vby dotted and full lines in Fig. 2. In the former the handle lower bar (which is in effect continuous because of the covering applied thereto) is moved up as far as permitted by the connected edges of the facing and lining which, in conjuncti-on with the handle frame, sustain the load that is transferred to the handle upper bar or grip through the medium of its metallic core. In this upper position the han-dle is maintained vertically by its tongue which remains confined between the two plies of the cover. In its lower position the handle disappears completely, at least to the extent of all but its upper bar or grip which is received into the recess of the frame so as to lie flush with the cover edge and sides above the gusset.

The present construction is advantageous from the standpoints of simplicity, strength, and compactness. It is particularly useful because of the completely disappearing han-dles which may, when desired, be shifted to flush positions. By utilizing a frame which fits into a recess along the top edge of the cover, I am enabled to position the handles to the outside of the gussets, and yet provide for iiush adjustments thereof, all without impairing the strength of the case or without a-dding to its bulk, thickness, or weight to an extent which is at all appreciable.

I claim:

l. An envelope case having, in combination, two hinged sections each provided with a gusset extending toward the other at points to the inside of its peripheral edges, hook fasteners carried by the gussets adapted to lock the case sections together, each section comprising a cover of two plies connected at their edges, there being along its free edge a recess, a frame having spaced guide openings tted into the recess and extending along the edge thereof and upon the opposite cover sides adjacent thereto, means securing the frame to the cover, and a handle formed with end bars which are slidably fitted into the guide openings of the frame, with a lower bar which underlies the frame for disposition between the two plies of the cover, and with a top grip bar above the frame, the grip bar of the handle being receivable within the frame to lie flush with the cover edge when the handle is pushed in to one extreme position.

2. An envelope case having, in combination, two hinged sections each provided with a gusset extending toward the other at points to the inside of its peripheral edges, hook fasteners carried by the gussets adapted to lock the case sections together, each section comprising a cover of two plies connected at their edges, there being along its free edge a recess, a frame tted into the recess provided with spaced guide openings, means securing the frame to the cover, and a handle comprising a grip bar receivable within the frame flush with the cover recess, two vertical bars extending slidably through the frame openings, and elongated means at the lower ends of the vertical bars preventing disassembly of the handle from the frame.

3. An envelope case having, in combination, two hinged sections each provided with a gusset extending toward the other at points to the inside of its peripheral edges, hook fasteners carried by the gussets adapted to lock the case sections together, each section comprising a cover of two plies connected at their edges, there being along its free edge a recess, a frame tted into th-e recess provided with spaced guide openings, means securing the frame to the cover, and a handle comprising a grip bar receivable within the frame fiush with the cover recess, two vertical bars extending slidably through the frame openings, and means joined to the lower ends of the vertical bars extending longitudinally and downwardly between the two plies of the cover whereby to sustain the handle vertically when it is slid to an outermost position and to engage with the connections between the plies for sustaining the load of the case.

4. An envelope case having, in combination, two hinged sections with hook fastener means for holding them closed, each section comprising a two-ply cover having in its free edge a recess, a frame having spaced guide openings fitted into the recess and comprising end bars beyond the openings and an inset bar extending therebetween, means connecting the frame to the cover, a handle having a grip receivable with the frame to lie flush with the proximate edge and sides of the cover, means extending from the handle grip through the frame openings and slidable therein to permit the handle to move in and out with respect to the frame, and means for preventing disassembly of the handle from the frame.

5. An envelope case having, in combination, two hinged sections with hook fastener means for holding them closed, each section comprising a two ply cover having in its free edge a recess, a handle provided with a grip which is receivable within the recess adapted in such position to lie flush with the free edge and outer ply of the cover, an-d a mounting for the handle axed to the cover adjacent the recess, the mounting including a guide into which a portion of the handle is slidably fitted permitting its entry into the space between the cover plies.

JOSEPH H. PLOTKIN. 

